NAPTOSA welcomes Women's Month- Unite against GBV

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left"- Martin Niemöller.

Media Release : NAPTOSA statement on calls to declare teaching as an essential service

STATEMENT BY NAPTOSA ON ATTEMPTS TO DECLARE TEACHING AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE- 24 JULY 2018

NAPTOSA is opposed to teaching being declared an essential service.

Essential services are commonly defined as those services that if interrupted, might inflict substantial harm on the population at large. Policing, firefighting, and emergency medical care are examples of essential services. In recent years, however, some governments have resolved that primary formal education should be added to this list of essential services.

The Labour Relations Act (LRA) defines an essential service as “a service, the interruption of which, endangers the life, personal safety or health of the whole or any part of the population”.

“NAPTOSA wishes to remind those who are calling for education to be declared an essential service that South Africa is a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and that the Freedom of Association Committee of the Governing Body of the ILO has found that the education sector does not constitute an essential service”, said Mr Basil Manuel, Executive Director of NAPTOSA.

The debate on whether teaching should be declared an essential service is not new. In 2010 NAPTOSA reacted to the Democratic Alliance’s call for teaching to be declared an essential service. NAPTOSA pointed out the many critical issues that needed urgent attention in education, including, inter alia, reduction of class sizes, provision of adequate resources, fixing school infrastructure, supply of new teachers, retention of teachers, correcting the use of teachers outside their areas of specialisation, addressing the quality of teacher training and development, and ensuring that suitable people are appointed for the job.

Court tells DBE to fix school infrustructure

Equal Education has won another important battle relating to school infrastructure. On 19 July the High Court in Bisho (Eastern Cape) ruled that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) must amend some of the Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure. Equal Education, a democratic movement committed to quality and equality in education, successfully argued that there are flaws in the Regulations. The Judge ruled in favour of Equal Education on all five issues put before the court:Sub-Regulation 4 (5) (a) This sub-regulation contains an “escape clause” which makes the Minister subject to the resources and cooperation of other organs of state in the implementation of these norms. In the words of the Judge “As I understand the argument put forward by the Minister, her hands are tied . . . This simply compromises the constitutional value of accountability.” Para. 182. This “escape clause” has allowed the DBE to delay implementation of the norms and standards. The Court ruled that the sub-regulation is unlawful and invalid.

Nelson Mandela International Day- 18 July 2018

The year 2018 is an iconic year for South Africa and the world, as we celebrate the Centenary of Nelson Mandela. South Africans can truly be proud to have birthed the humanitarian, Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was an individual who dedicated his life to social justice, freedom, and equality for all South Africans. For this in November 2009 the United Nations honoured South Africa and Madiba’s vision by declaring 18 July, his birth date, the Nelson Mandela International Day The Mandela Day campaign calls on individuals, groups and corporates to pledge 67 minutes of their time on 18 July and as often as possible to give back to society. This can be done by supporting a charity or serving the community no matter how small the action. The aim is to change the world for the better, just as Mandela did. This year the Nelson Mandela Foundation calls on all South Africans to take action against poverty. Our Community and political leaders are called upon to become servant leaders and to make South Africa a better place to live in.

Nelson Mandela International Day should serve as a reminder to all South Africans to become part of a continuous global movement for good and strive for social justice for all. Education as Mandela said, is indeed the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. In honour of this legend, NAPTOSA calls on teachers in their individual capacity and as a collective to actively work towards ensuring that the dignity of the profession is restored.

An urgent message from the Government Employees Pension Fund (The GEPF).

The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) has become aware of individuals falsely posing as agents or officials of the Government Employees Pension Fund who are charging a fee to assist members, pensioners and beneficiaries to claim outstanding funds. The public and especially members, pensioners and beneficiaries should note that the GEPF deals directly with its clients and does not charge for its services nor does it endorse agents, companies or any third party individuals to act on its behalf.Anyone who requests payment for rendering GEPF services is committing fraud and the public is urged to report such individuals or companies to the South African Police Service. The GEPF would, therefore, like to make its members, pensioners, beneficiaries and their families aware of the following:

•The GEPF services are FREE•No one is allowed to ask for a fee to assist GEPF current and former members, pensioners, beneficiaries and their families with respect to any GEPF provided services•Do not share your personal information such identity document number and bank account details.

Issued by the Government Employees Pension Fund.

Enquiries : 0800 117 669/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit a GEPF office near you.

Announcements

NAPTOSA INsight Volume 12 Issue 1, April 2018 is now available for viewing: Go there

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